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  6. Explore
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Status: Closed

Find out information about  the aims, funding, key dates, resources and contacts for the ARC Explore scheme.

Aim

Explore is part of the new National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP) and is dedicated to exploratory high-risk, high-reward research. It will support researchers to trial bold ideas with the potential to be highly transformative. These projects will have the potential to create new fundamental knowledge and drive benefits for Australian society. The scheme will expand research capacity in Australia by supporting excellent researchers and teams to take greater risks in pursuit of knowledge.

Explore is expected to be the first of the new NCGP schemes to open in March 2027.

The information on this webpage is indicative and is subject to confirmation in the final grant opportunity guidelines.

The proposed objectives of the Explore scheme:

  • Research Excellence: Identify and enable high-quality, innovative research spanning pure basic, strategic basic and applied research domains across all disciplines (excluding medical research and experimental development), with a focus on fostering ambitious projects that exhibit potential for high-risk, high-reward outcomes.
  • Benefit: Support research that serves the national interest in diverse ways, including fundamental knowledge creation; commercial, cultural, economic, environmental, or social benefits; and/or alignment with ARC strategic goals and Australian government priority areas.
  • Capacity: Strengthen Australia’s research capacity by fostering a skilled, inclusive and adaptable research workforce, supported by flexible career pathways that enable world-class research and impact for Australia.
  • Collaboration: Support and promote mutually beneficial research collaboration between Australian higher education institutions and local or international partners, such as community organisations, government, industry, or international research institutions.

Projects of up to 3 years in duration may request between $50,000 and $400,000 per year. Direct costs may be applied for, including for example personnel, equipment, maintenance, teaching relief, and travel.

Individual researchers and research teams at any career stage who do not currently hold or have not been awarded an Explore grant in the previous 3 years.

Further eligibility requirements will be provided in the forthcoming grant guidelines.

Explore is expected to open in March 2027.

The scheme will run annually.

Specific dates are yet to be released by the ARC.
Notification of Intent (NOI)

Complete a Notification of Intent to inform your Faculty and the University Research Services teams of your intention to submit an application. After completing this NOI, you will be provided with regular updates about your funding scheme and sent valuable resources that will assist you in developing a highly competitive research grant application.

ARC information
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